Safeguarding and Child Welfare
Protecting Children and Young People in Irish Wrestling
The Irish Amateur Wrestling Association (I.A.W.A.) is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, positive and enjoyable sporting environment for all children and young people participating in wrestling.
The welfare of children is a fundamental priority of the Association and a shared responsibility of every affiliated club, coach, official, volunteer and parent.
The I.A.W.A. promotes safeguarding practices in accordance with the Children First Act 2015, Children First National Guidance, Sport Ireland’s safeguarding guidance and applicable child protection legislation.
Our aim is to ensure that every young person can participate in wrestling with confidence, knowing that their safety, welfare and dignity are respected.
Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility.
Reporting a Safeguarding Concern
If you have a concern about the safety or welfare of a child involved in wrestling, it is important that you report it promptly.
Concerns should be brought to the attention of your club’s Designated Liaison Person (DLP) or the appropriate I.A.W.A. safeguarding contact: iawagardavetting@gmail.com.
Where there are reasonable grounds for concern that a child may have been abused, is being abused or is at risk of abuse, a report should be made to the appropriate statutory authority.
Republic of Ireland
Tusla – Child and Family Agency
Website: www.tusla.ie
Northern Ireland
Health and Social Care Trust Children’s Services or the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), as appropriate.
Immediate Danger
If a child is in immediate danger, contact the emergency services.
- Republic of Ireland: 999 or 112
- Northern Ireland: 999 or 112
You do not need proof that abuse has occurred before reporting a reasonable concern.
Do not delay an appropriate statutory report while waiting for a response from a club or the I.A.W.A.
I.A.W.A. Safeguarding Responsibilities
The I.A.W.A. works to support affiliated clubs in implementing effective safeguarding procedures and maintaining appropriate standards of child welfare.
This includes:
- Promoting child-centred sporting environments.
- Supporting safeguarding education for coaches and volunteers.
- Ensuring clubs appoint appropriate safeguarding personnel.
- Encouraging clear reporting and complaints procedures.
- Promoting safe recruitment and Garda Vetting practices.
- Supporting clubs in completing child safeguarding risk assessments.
- Encouraging appropriate supervision and safe coaching practices.
- Promoting respectful behaviour and preventing bullying, harassment and discrimination.
- Supporting compliance with applicable safeguarding legislation and Sport Ireland guidance.
Every affiliated club should maintain appropriate safeguarding documentation and ensure that members know who to contact if they have a concern.
Sport Ireland Safeguarding Training
Sport Ireland provides three principal safeguarding education workshops for individuals working with children and young people in sport.
These programmes are designed to develop awareness of child welfare responsibilities and support the implementation of safeguarding best practice.
Safeguarding 1 – Child Welfare and Protection Basic Awareness
Duration: Approximately 3 hours
Safeguarding 1 is the foundation safeguarding course for individuals working with children in sport.
All coaches, Club Children’s Officers and Designated Liaison Persons must complete this introductory safeguarding training. These can be completed online or in person.
The workshop covers:
- Principles of child welfare and protection.
- Recognising safeguarding concerns.
- Creating safe sporting environments.
- Appropriate behaviour and professional boundaries.
- Codes of conduct.
- Responding to disclosures.
- Reporting child protection concerns.
- Safeguarding responsibilities in sporting organisations.
Safeguarding 1 provides essential knowledge for coaches, volunteers and club officials who work with young athletes.
Safeguarding 2 – Club Children’s Officer
Duration: Approximately 3 hours
The Club Children’s Officer (CCO) plays an important role in promoting a child-centred culture within a wrestling club.
Individuals appointed to this position must first complete Safeguarding 1 and should complete the specialist Safeguarding 2 workshop.
The course supports Children’s Officers in understanding their responsibilities and implementing safeguarding best practice.
Responsibilities of the Club Children’s Officer include:
- Promoting the welfare and interests of children.
- Encouraging positive sporting experiences.
- Supporting the implementation of safeguarding policies.
- Providing an accessible point of contact for young members.
- Promoting children’s participation and inclusion.
- Supporting awareness of codes of conduct.
- Monitoring how club activities and policies affect young people.
- Reporting relevant matters to the club’s management committee.
The Club Children’s Officer should be approachable, supportive and focused on ensuring that children feel safe and valued.
Safeguarding 3 – Designated Liaison Person
Duration: Approximately 3 hours
Every wrestling club should appoint a Designated Liaison Person (DLP) responsible for dealing with child protection and welfare concerns.
The appointed person must first complete Safeguarding 1 and should complete the specialist Safeguarding 3 workshop.
Responsibilities of the Designated Liaison Person include:
- Acting as the designated contact for child protection concerns.
- Understanding the club’s reporting procedures.
- Responding appropriately to safeguarding disclosures.
- Maintaining appropriate and confidential records.
- Consulting with statutory authorities where necessary.
- Reporting child protection concerns to the appropriate statutory authorities.
- Supporting the implementation of safeguarding procedures.
Where possible, the Club Children’s Officer and Designated Liaison Person should be separate individuals to maintain clarity between their respective responsibilities.
The club should ensure that the names and contact details of its safeguarding personnel are accessible to members, parents and guardians.
Safeguarding Requirements for I.A.W.A. Clubs
Affiliated clubs are expected to maintain appropriate safeguarding arrangements for activities involving children.
These include:
- An appointed Club Children’s Officer.
- An appointed Designated Liaison Person.
- Appropriate safeguarding education for relevant personnel.
- Garda Vetting for individuals undertaking relevant work with children.
- A Child Safeguarding Statement and associated risk assessment, where legally required.
- Codes of conduct for athletes, coaches, parents and volunteers.
- Procedures for reporting safeguarding concerns.
- Appropriate supervision and safe recruitment practices.
The I.A.W.A. also requires clubs to appoint a trained and vetted Garda Vetting Validator to support the Association’s vetting procedures.
Garda Vetting is a separate process from safeguarding training and does not replace the requirement for appropriate safeguarding education.
Garda Vetting
Individuals undertaking relevant work or activities involving children must comply with applicable Garda Vetting requirements.
The I.A.W.A. operates a Garda Vetting process for its affiliated clubs and relevant personnel.
Clubs must ensure that individuals requiring vetting complete the appropriate procedures before undertaking roles for which vetting is required.
I.A.W.A. Garda Vetting Enquiries
This email address is for Garda Vetting administration and enquiries.
Where Can I Complete Safeguarding Training?
Safeguarding workshops are delivered through Local Sports Partnerships and other authorised providers.
Individuals wishing to complete Safeguarding 1, 2 or 3 should contact their Local Sports Partnership for information about upcoming courses.
The I.A.W.A. may also arrange safeguarding education in conjunction with coaching courses and other development activities.
Sport Ireland Safeguarding Information
Sport Ireland – Safeguarding Sport
Safeguarding Documents and Resources
The following documents provide information and guidance to affiliated clubs, coaches, officials and parents.
I.A.W.A. Safeguarding Documents
- Letter to Affiliated Clubs – Children First Act
- I.A.W.A. Child Safeguarding Statement
- Generic Safeguarding Risk Assessment Template
- Child Protection Report Form
National Safeguarding Resources
- Sport Ireland – Safeguarding Guidance for Children and Young People in Sport
- Tusla – Child and Family Agency
- Sport Ireland – Safeguarding Sport
Our Commitment to Safe Sport
The Irish Amateur Wrestling Association believes that every child has the right to participate in wrestling in an environment that is safe, respectful, supportive and free from abuse, bullying, harassment and discrimination.
We are committed to working with affiliated clubs, coaches, parents, volunteers and safeguarding organisations to maintain high standards of child welfare throughout Irish wrestling.
Safe Sport. Positive Experiences. Protecting Every Young Wrestler.